How to get to Bari: complete transport guide
How to reach Bari by plane, train, car and bus. Karol Wojtyla airport, Central Station, Adriatic motorways and local transport to the old town.
Foto: Benjamin Smith (CC BY-SA 4.0) — Wikimedia Commons
How to get to Bari by plane
**Bari-Karol Wojtyla Airport (BRI)**, also known as Bari-Palese, is located about 8 km from the city centre. It is Puglia's main airport, connected to numerous Italian and European cities by airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air and full-service carriers.
Connections to the centre include:
- **Ferrotramviaria shuttle train**: connects the airport to Bari Centrale station in about 15 minutes (5 euros), with frequent departures
- **AMTAB bus 16**: stop in front of the airport, reaches the centre in 30 minutes (1.50 euros)
- **Taxi**: approximately 25 euros to the centre
**Brindisi-Salento Airport (BDS)**, about 115 km away, may be an alternative for those heading to the Salento area. Connected to Bari by regional trains (1h30) or STP buses.
How to get to Bari by train
**Bari Centrale** is an important railway hub in southern Italy, located steps from the centre and the old town. Connections:
- **Frecce Trenitalia**: Rome (3h50), Milan (6h30 direct or 4h30 with change in Rome), Bologna (5h)
- **Italo**: Rome and Milan
- **Intercity**: connections along the Adriatic coast (Pescara, Ancona, Bologna, Rimini)
- **Regional trains**: Lecce (1h30), Taranto (1h20), Foggia (1h10), Matera (1h40 via FAL)
**Ferrovie del Sud-Est (FSE)** connects Bari with the villages of the Itria Valley (Alberobello, Locorotondo, Martina Franca). **Ferrovie Appulo-Lucane (FAL)** reaches Matera and Potenza.
The station is well connected: the seafront and old town are a 10-minute walk.
How to get to Bari by car
Bari is reachable via:
- **A14 (Adriatic Motorway)**: from Bologna, Rimini, Ancona, Pescara (north) and Taranto (south)
- **A16 (Naples-Canosa)**: from Naples and Avellino, then A14 to Bari
- **SS96**: direct connection to Matera and Basilicata
- **SS16 (Adriatica)**: scenic alternative along the coast
The old town has a **ZTL** with cameras. Recommended parking:
- **Parcheggio Lungomare** (near Teatro Petruzzelli)
- **Station car park** (Piazza Aldo Moro)
- **Park-and-ride Largo 2 Giugno**
- **Seafront parking**: blue lines, 1-1.50 euros/hour
How to get to Bari by bus
The bus station is at **Largo Sorrentino**, near the Central Station. Operators include:
- **FlixBus**: national and international connections
- **MarinoBus**: Rome, Milan, Turin and northern Italy
- **SITA Sud**: Puglia regional network (Matera, coast, hinterland)
- **Ferrovie del Gargano**: for the Gargano and Tremiti Islands (via Foggia)
Bari is also an important ferry port for Greece (Patras, Corfu, Igoumenitsa), Albania (Durres) and Montenegro (Bar).
Getting from the arrival point to the centre
Urban public transport is run by **AMTAB**. The network includes urban buses and a trolleybus line. A single ticket costs 1.50 euros (75 minutes). A day pass costs 3.50 euros.
From the Central Station:
- **Old town (Bari Vecchia)**: 10-minute walk via Corso Vittorio Emanuele
- **Seafront**: 15-minute walk
- **Basilica di San Nicola**: 15-minute walk
Bari is a very compact city and the centre is easily explored on foot. The city beaches (Pane e Pomodoro) are just a 20-minute stroll from the centre.
Practical tips
The shuttle train from the airport is the most convenient and fastest option. Bari is an excellent base for exploring Puglia: from here you can easily reach Alberobello, Polignano a Mare, Trani, Castel del Monte and the Castellana Caves by regional trains or buses. For Matera, the FAL line takes about 1h40 and departs from the underground station at Bari Centrale.
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Practical info
When's the best time to go to Bari?
We recommend December, January, February, March, July and August, the period with the smallest crowds.
How touristy is Bari?
Bari is very quiet compared to the more visited destinations.
What's the location of Bari?
Bari is found in the area of Puglia, Italia.
How to get there
- 🚆 Nearest station: Bari Centrale (FAL) ~1 km as the crow flies
- ✈️ Nearest airport: Aeroporto di Bari-Palese BRI ~9 km as the crow flies
Nearest points as the crow flies (source OpenStreetMap): actual times depend on the roads, often mountain ones.
